Europol delegation visited SIPA

On the occasion of the ceremonial signing of the Agreement on Operational and Strategic Cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the European Police Office (Europol), the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA) was visited today by a Europol delegation led by Director Rob Wainwright, Minister of Security of Bosnia and Herzegovina Dragan Mektić, and representatives of the European Union Delegation to BiH led by Head of the Rule of Law Section Richard Wood.

The Europol delegation met with SIPA Deputy Director Đuro Knežević and heads of organizational units Ernad Musić and Dragan Mumović.

After a presentation on the work and role of SIPA in the security system of BiH, the SIPA Deputy Director expressed satisfaction with the signing of the Agreement between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Europol, emphasizing that this is a very significant agreement and that SIPA will provide its maximum in the fight against all forms of crime within its jurisdiction, thus contributing to a safer environment for the citizens of BiH and the European Union.

 Minister Mektić said that SIPA is the pride of Bosnia and Herzegovina and listed the fight against organized crime, terrorism, and corruption as a priority in its work, adding that SIPA will have the highest level of cooperation with Europol, as well as strong support from the Ministry of Security of BiH in its future work.

Europol Director Wainwright also emphasized that the fight against terrorism and organized crime are very important for Europol, adding that SIPA and Europol are natural partners because their jurisdictions are compatible, and that SIPA should utilize the opportunities offered to it, given that by signing today's agreement, the BiH police are connected with 40 other signatory countries of the mentioned agreement.

Šef Odjeljenja za vladavinu prava Delegacije Evropske unije u BiH Ričard Vud se takođe obratio prisutnima, istakavši da borba protiv terorizma treba da bude jedan od prioriteta SIPA-e i Europola, te naglasio da su fondovi Evropske unije između ostalih članica Europola na raspolaganju i SIPA-i.

 Representatives of both delegations emphasized that they will adhere to the Agreement in the future and further improve it, in order to more effectively combat today's security challenges.